A little bit of holiday karma

Wendell (bottom) and Cassidy were homeless Richmond cats that were rescued and used in this Missouri Lottery promotion.

Homeless kittens find their way onto Missouri Lottery Scratchers game and into forever homes

By JoEllen Black/Richmond News

It may be considered a rags-to-riches story – or for the season, a small holiday marvel.

Cats and dogs are decked out in holiday style for the eight covers of “Santa Paws,” a Missouri Lottery Scratchers game. Among them, you’ll find Wendell, a tabby, and Cassidy, a calico, primped in bows and Santa hats. They are Richmond kitties.

How two homeless kittens found their way out of the Richmond Animal Control shelter and into a high-dollar photo studio took some karma – specifically Karma’s Rescue.

“Whenever she needs a cat or kitten (for a photo shoot), she calls me,” said Katie Lappin, creator of Karma’s Rescue, a no-kill animal rescue service. The “she” is a nameless Kansas City woman who is like a talent scout, Lappin said. And their relationship throughout the year has made Lappin a “cat-lady talent scout.”

To adopt an animal or donate to Karma’s Rescue, contact Lapin at 816-509-6006 or KarmasRescue@hotmail.com.